North Korea has announced the successful launch of sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters, marking yet another step in the country’s ongoing display of military strength. This development coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s trip to South Korea for a significant regional summit.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s official media outlet, confirmed the missile test on Tuesday, stating that it was a successful operation. The agency emphasized that these weapons are intended to broaden the operational reach of the nation’s nuclear-capable military forces.

At this point, South Korea’s military has not provided confirmation on whether these missile tests were detected or not. The North Korean announcement surfaced mere hours before a high-profile meeting between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. This summit is set to take place in Gyeongju, the host city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings this year.

South Korea’s military did not immediately confirm whether it had detected the tests.

The North Korean report came hours before an expected summit between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the city of Gyeongju, where South Korea is hosting this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

KCNA said senior military official Pak Jong Chon attended the test during an inspection of training for sailors aboard the country’s newly developed destroyers Choe Hyon and Kang Kon, which Kim Jong Un has described as key assets in his efforts to strengthen the navy.

North Korea’s latest launches followed short-range ballistic missile tests last week that it said involved a new hypersonic system designed to strengthen its nuclear war deterrent.

Trump has expressed interest in meeting with Kim during his stay in South Korea, where he is also scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

However, South Korean officials have said a Trump–Kim meeting is unlikely.

Trump has previously referred to Kim as “little rocket man” and the two met three times during the US president’s first term.

North Korea has shunned any form of talks with Washington and Seoul since Kim’s high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Trump fell apart in 2019.

Kim’s top foreign policy priority is now Russia.

In recent months, he has sent thousands of troops and large quantities of military equipment to help fuel President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, while embracing the idea of a “new Cold War” and positions his country as part of a united front against the US-led West.

Last month, Kim reiterated he wouldn’t return to talks with the United States unless Washington drops its demand for North Korea’s denuclearization, after Trump repeatedly expressed his hopes for new diplomacy.